Sympathy Do’s & Dont’s

Is There Such a Thing as Sympathy Etiquette?

January 31, 2012

Dear Caring Carol, I went to the wake of my best friend’s cousin, and it was more like a party with loud laughter, storytelling, even singing. Is this appropriate? Isn’t there a certain form of sympathy etiquette that should be followed at wakes? Margaret in Plano Dear Margaret, Everyone deals with loss in their own [...]

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Sympathy Flower Etiquette – What is Appropriate?

January 3, 2012

Dear Caring Carol, I wanted to send a colleague of mine sympathy flowers as her cousin unexpectedly passed away last week. Is there a certain type of flower that people like to send during a time of one’s grieving? Also, I was wondering about the color; is there a color of flower to avoid? Are [...]

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Are Gift Baskets Appropriate for Condolences?

November 29, 2011

Dear Caring Carol, In the past, I’ve seen people send out “comfort baskets” when someone is sick or just feeling blue and under the weather. However, I’ve never experienced someone sending one of those baskets for a sympathy cause –do people do that, kind of like a small pick me up? Is it tacky to [...]

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Sending Sympathy Cards to Family Members

November 22, 2011

Dear Caring Carol, I have an inquiry about sending sympathy cards. My Aunt Mildred passed away last week, and I was wondering – do family members send sympathy cards to other family members? Does it matter how close the family is to you, or how close in relation that member is? I know you obviously [...]

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Disrespectful Behavior At A Wake By Family Members

October 18, 2011

Dear Caring Carol, I recently attended the wake for my brother-in-law Bill’s mother and I still cannot stop thinking about how disrespectful his family was to the deceased. Bill’s mother had many health issues, most of them brought on by her bad habits. Her doctors repeatedly warned her that her behavior would lead to her [...]

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